Lavrov: Moscow to Push for International Condemnation of Orchestrating Coups Abroad

MOSCOW, October 8 – Moscow will push for the international community’s condemnation of outside attempts to initiate a state coup in any country, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Wednesday.

“We are extremely negative about attempts to change governments of sovereign states through outside influence, as was in Venezuela, Cuba, Russia, China or other states, including European Union members. Attempts to interfere into domestic affairs, to try to use certain instruments to heat up or create tensions are illegal. They are against a state’s obligations under the international law. We treat [such attempts] in a negative manner and will push for the international community to condemn such practices and call for them to be abandoned once and for all,” he said.

The principle of state sovereignty and non-interference into other states' domestic affairs is the key principle of international law.

Article 2 of the UN Charter stipulates that nothing shall authorize UN member states to "intervene in matters which are essentially within the domestic jurisdiction of any state."

Moreover, this principle is set forth in the 1970 Declaration on Principles of International Law and 1975 Helsinki Final Act.

Russia has repeatedly reiterated its commitment to the principles of international law and condemned their violation by other UN members, primarily the US, in assisting coups in foreign states.(RIA Novosti)
8/10/14